Vigo 12 Heathfield 32
Thanks to Saffie Goldsmith for the pics
Yet another strong second half performance earned Heathfield a bonus point away win in an entertaining game against a tough Vigo team who were leading at half time.
The pitch was in fine condition. The Vigo ground has a steady slope diagonally corner to corner and there was a firm but variable breeze away from the clubhouse towards the lower side. Heathfield probably made better use of the conditions through their kicking out of hand with Sean Crozier being especially effective.
Vigo started strongly when they had one of their few lineout successes on the day, moved the ball wide left and then quickly moved it back to the other side for their right winger to touch down in the corner. However Heathfield replied almost immediately as a fine Toby Simpson kick secured a good attacking position thanks to the 50:22 law. The lineout was easily secured by Jem Macvicker and a dynamic drive gave Tom Cornwall the try.
It was becoming clear that both wanted to move the ball. With a try apiece after just six minutes it was promising to be a good contest.
Vigo charged back and were rewarded with a penalty chance but it went wide. Heathfield were securing a decent share of possession but the Crozier/Bryn Jones combination in midfield was not working as well as it sometimes does. This was at least partly down to the good line speed by the home defence. Sam Crichton was noticed with multiple carries, often standing at first receiver, and he also pulled off some important tackles.
Starting the second quarter Vigo had another penalty chance with the same result as the first. However a few minutes later Heathfield had a defensive lineout ten yards out from their own line and although securing possession Vigo pressure forced an error and a flanker was able to dive over near the posts, duly converted.
Naturally Heathfield surged back to the other end and thought they had a try when Max Redman picked up a loose ball after a charge down at the base of a Vigo scrum and was strolling over the try line when he was recalled for offside. Heathfield then had another good period with handling right across the pitch and went close in the top right hand corner. However the Vigo defence scrambled the ball away. In last minutes of the half Jones was binned for repeated failure to retreat 10 metres at penalties.
Neither side dominated the scrummage but the lineout was virtually conceded by Vigo who rarely contested the visitors’ ball and mostly chose a scrum rather than kick for position on their penalties although neither side had an edge in that phase. Jem Macvicker was the main lineout operator and beneficiary of this Vigo generosity but he also had another decent day in his main role in the hard stuff at close quarters.
At half time Crichton was replaced by Dylan Eames reflecting the competition in the second row at present and Tom Pritchard came on for Ollie Tooke, with Dan Bird moving to tight head. Pritchard was as effective as ever in the tight and was noted with some good defensive work.
Initially in the second half Vigo were pressing into the visitors’ 22 and looking to take advantage of the extra man but Sam Williams intercepted in midfield and his pace meant that the chasers soon gave up. The Crozier conversion levelled the score. This score seemed to lift Heathfield and they had much the best of the rest of the game.
Jack Brown was at scrum half for the first time at senior level although he had played there as a junior. Nonetheless he provided a fine length of service to the backs and showed good footwork at close quarters as he dealt with occasional poor quality possession. He was combining well with the pack as Heathfield were starting to develop some momentum with Fraser Goatcher and Ed Koops often making good yards. A penalty was now fair reward for pressure.
It was soon followed by the probably decisive score as good scrum possession was worked wide for Simpson to make a key entry into the line and put Williams in for his second try on the day.
At 12-20 the home side now needed two scores for a result. They did have one promising opportunity into the left hand corner after a kick was adjudged to have been just inside the corner flag but their lineout again failed them and Heathfield were soon back down the other end.
With five minutes remaining any doubt about the result was ended as good scrum ball was moved wide left where Williams linked with Redman for Simpson to score. Redman, on a Student Pass registration from his Uni, was making his first appearance for Heathfield this season and made several other strong contributions.
Cornwall capped another good performance with a storming run that was just contained while a home centre had an early bath for some needless obstruction.
The game was ended by the fifth Heathfield try as solid lineout possession was again worked wide left and this time Simpson spurned outside runners to claim the points for himself. Crozier capped his fine game with the tricky conversion from out wide.
This was a team performance in which the skipper Gus Taylor led by example with some characteristic combative work that more than matched the impressive opposite no 8.
Next week Heathfield 1st XV and Vets XV are taking a coach trip to Maidstone for what could be a lively afternoon on and off the pitch (12 Feb 2.30).